Chapter Ten

A/N: I know I promised this update yesterday. I suck I know. But this chapter has some scenes seen through Clare's point of view whereas it was usually from Eli's, so I hope you guys enjoy it. This chapter is just a filler chapter, but hopefully the next chapter or two will be up to your guys' standards!

Several days later, Clare awoke feeling happy and complete. She and Eli had been an official couple for almost a week now, and she could truly admit that she loved Eli. She lay in bed as the sun shone through her window curtains overlooking her balcony. Just the other night, Eli had surprised her at night just to see her. She grinned at the memory.

"Eli, you shouldn't be out here," she whispered in a harsh tone as she saw the black-clad boy stand in the middle of her lawn with a few pebbles in his hand.

"Is it a sin to see my girlfriend?" He smirked. Even from a distance, he could still see the pink creep up on Clare's pale, soft cheeks.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets looking at her from under his bangs. "Just wanted to wish you a good night."

Clare giggled and blew him a kiss. "Good night, Eli."

He lingered momentarily but stood at attention when he saw a light flick on inside the house. He said another good night before quietly sneaking off the Edwards lawn. He didn't want to have to see Reverend Randal after hours.

The previous days had been different to say the least for Clare. Eli had picked up Clare for school every morning, and every morning new people would gawk and stare at them. She'd hear whispers about what Eli was doing with a girl like her, or that Clare must have given up her virtue if she was with a boy like Eli. But instead of fretting about these rumours, Eli would wrap his arm tighter around Clare and walk her to class, talking about any and everything.

Clare hummed softly to herself as she made breakfast. She had just gotten off the phone with Eli and was feeling in an extra good mood. Her father entered the kitchen with a bible and newspaper under his arm noticing a spring in Clare's step.

Randal sighed. He never saw his daughter completely elated before, but he was still worried about her. She was his little girl, and he didn't want her going into something she wasn't prepared for.

"Clare," he walked to her using his stern voice.

"Morning daddy," she smiled and pecked his cheek.

"Clare," he removed his glasses sighing. "I want to talk to you about that boy."

Any other teenager would have rolled their eyes and turned away, but Clare waited patiently. "You've been spending a lot of time with that boy. You've been staying out late doing God knows what."

She shook her head confused. "Dad, he's gotten me home before curfew. Do you really not trust me to control myself around him?"

She said this in such a soft voice with no venom at all that it was almost difficult for Randal to argue. But then he remembered that Eli and his friends were responsible for putting a member of their community in the hospital and proceeded with his harsh tone. "It's not you I don't trust. You're acting with that boy like you're-"

"In love?"

He grimaced at the thought. "Clare, you are a child."

"Dad, look at me. I'm not a child."

"Then stop acting childish." He said with much venom he almost regretted saying it when he saw the hurt look on Clare's face.

Her expression of hurt quickly changed to a soft smile. "I love him."

He searched his daughter's eyes for any uncertainty but found none. He closed his eyes turning away from her. "Then be fair to him, Clare. Before things get worse."

Randal briefly turned back to his daughter to kiss her temple, regrettably noticing how pale she looked.

Clare sighed looking down and turned back to the bacon that was slightly charred.

Eli leaned over to give Clare a kiss as she entered his hearse which was parked outside The Dot. She smiled against his mouth giving him a softer after peck.

"What did you tell your dad?" Eli asked as he drove them to the spot he wanted to show Clare.

"The truth. I just left you out of it."

Eli smirked taking Clare's hand in his and brushed his lips against it gently. He arrived in a wooded area and helped Clare out of the car. "What are we doing here?"

"It's a surprise."

Clare let Eli lead her through the wood. The young couple talked and laughed and just enjoyed each other's company. Finally, Eli stopped and watched for Clare's expression. He grinned when he saw her lips part in a gasp.

The abandoned church had rubble strewn around the base, but some stained glass windows still held up. Even though it was torn down and left alone, the church still had a sense of majesty to it.

"Eli, where'd you find this place?"

He didn't answer her quite yet, but released her hand to go behind a rock pulling out a picnic basket and blanket that he had hid there earlier. Clare beamed at him. "You planned this."

"I'm capable of thinking ahead," he said as he set down the blanket on the concrete near a wall "Which is why I brought my mom's cookies, a thermos of hot chocolate, and a cuddling blanket."

She grinned and asked playfully, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Oh, I don't know. Are you seduceable?" He asked as he took a seat against the wall and laid the blanket over his legs. He smirked when she shook her head teasingly. "Well, good think I'm a thinker."

He produced a second blanket and patted the space beside him. Instead of sitting next to him, Clare sat in between his legs with her back pressed against his chest. He wrapped her blanket snuggly around her and kisses the base of her neck.

He moved his head for her to relax against him comfortably. "So, what's your number one?"

She breathed in sync with Eli's breathing and felt loved and felt the love she felt for Eli. It was so strong it almost consumed her. She leaned her head to face his and placed a small peck on the corner of his jaw. "To marry in the church where my mother grew up. Where my parents were married."

Eli leaned his head against hers. Every second he was with this girl, he felt something whell up inside him. In that split instant, he could see his future. He could see himself standing at the altar as Clare walked towards him in a glistening white dress. He could see the early quiet early mornings as they lay in bed just being with each other. He could even see a little girl looking just like Clare staring up at him with her giant baby blues begging for Eli to pick her up.

More importantly, it was Clare he could see in every step of his life. He smiled feeling like the luckiest guy in the world.

Sorry again for the crap chapter, but stay tuned!